When inductors are in series, they add like which other electrical component?

Study for the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Year 2 Part 3 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to prepare confidently. Get exam-ready now!

When inductors are connected in series, their total inductance is calculated by simply adding the individual inductances together, much like resistors in a series circuit. This is because the total impedance of circuits in series is cumulative, meaning that the overall effect is the sum of the components that contribute to it.

In essence, when you connect inductors in series, you increase the total inductance that opposes changes in current. This is functionally similar to resistors, where the total resistance increases as additional resistive components are added in series, since each one offers additional opposition to the flow of current.

Capacitors, on the other hand, behave differently in series; their total capacitance is found by a reciprocal relationship, which is distinct from the straightforward addition for inductors and resistors. Transformers do not apply here directly since they transform voltage and current rather than simply adding values. Therefore, it's evident that inductors in series act similarly to resistors in that they accumulate their values in a straightforward additive manner.

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